Tag Archives: aaron hernandez

The Patriots are just about set to take on the NFC Champion Seahawks in their sixth Super Bowl appearance in the last 13 years. In their two most recent trips in 2007 and 2011, however, the Pats have not been able to come away victorious. In their most recent Super Bowl loss to the Giants, there were some pretty clear reasons as to why they were unable to win the game. We all remember the last-minute, game-winning touchdown drive orchestrated by Eli Manning, Ahmad Bradshaw’s accidental touchdown and the last-second Hail Mary attempt falling incomplete. Chances are, however, most people have forgotten about some of the other reasons the Pats came out on the wrong end of the score, but not to worry. Here are the top-12 reasons the Patriots lost Super Bowl XLVI.

Tom Brady walks off the field in Indianapolis following the Super Bowl XLVI defeat.

Bill Belichick addressed the media from a Gillette Stadium press box Tuesday afternoon before Patriots’ training camp begins Friday and for the first time since his former player, Aaron Hernandez, was arrested in his North Attleboro home on June 26. He spoke for a total of 22 minutes once arriving on stage seven minutes after his scheduled start time of 1:45 pm and talked almost exclusively about the situation involving Hernandez.

Belichick was a bit more forthcoming and candid than he usually is at press conferences as he stood in front of cameras to close the book on Hernandez. He didn’t get annoyed by questions, seemed heartfelt in his responses and even smiled a few times along the way while making it very clear that it is time for the New England Patriots to just move on.

With training camp set to get underway later this week, there were not many football questions directed toward Belichick, though there were reportedly over 20 cameras in the room and “every media organization you can think of,” according to Zuri Berry. Others described the scene as being one of the more anticipated Belichick news conferences during his time with the Patriots as he declared that he had been advised to address the Hernandez situation once before putting it in the rearview for good.

Belichick opened the session by reading a statement of his own regarding Hernandez. It began like this: “I’m going to address the situation regarding Aaron Hernandez” and added that he “felt it was necessary.” He went on to say that it was “a sad day on so many levels,” before offering his thoughts and prayers to the family of Odin Lloyd. Some members of the former semi-pro football player’s family were reportedly at Hernandez’s probable cause hearing that got started just minutes after Belichick’s presser.

Following his initial comments on the situation, Belichick stated that he and other members of the organization were shocked when they found out about the murder investigation and also added that he was out of the country at the time. “After consultation with ownership, we acted swiftly and decisively [to release Hernandez],” he said before addressing the importance of community presence throughout the organization.

Belichick went on to say that he was “hurt” regarding the events surrounding Hernandez in the past month, but refused to answer any legal questions due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. He did say that the franchise evaluates performance before drafting or signing a player, but they also take a careful look at intelligence, maturity, work ethic and improvement only after evaluating the player’s background, including their family.

“Unfortunately, this most recent situation, with the charges that are involved, is not a good one on that record,” he admitted, but added that “we’ll learn from this terrible experience.” When asked (more than once) if the team would consider altering their pre-draft evaluations of any players or those who may have had character issues in the past, he reiterated that the “evaluating process will fundamentally remain the same in the future.”

Once the questions started to be asked, Belichick stated that he would not comment on any of the ongoing legal proceedings involving Hernandez and that he has advised the rest of his players to do the same. “I’m not trying to make the story disappear, but I respect the judicial system and have been advised not to make further comments [on the situation].” He refused to answer most of the Hernandez questions, including whether or not he has spoken with the tight end since his arrest in June, but noted that this past month has been “very unexpected.”

At 2:13 pm, 21 minutes after the start of the news conference, Belichick received his first question of the afternoon not related to Hernandez. This time, it was about the legal troubles involving second-year defensive back, Alfonzo Dennard. Shockingly, Belichick declined to comment on that one as well. He then abruptly walked off the stage a minute later, ending his pre-training camp news conference at 2:14 pm.

Basically, it was time for Belichick to address the media as well as the fans and definitively say that the team is moving on from the events that have cast a dark shadow over them this summer. He handled it about as well as he could have, even knowing that while he was speaking, one of his former players was appearing in court, wearing a suit jacket, dress shirt, no tie and handcuffs, swaying back and forth as he was being guarded. B.B. actually smiled a few times throughout the presser, including when he was asked, “without getting too personal,” if he had sat down with family or friends to address the Hernandez case.

Through the 22 minutes, however, he said the phrase ‘Aaron Hernandez’ just once – at the very beginning. The rest of the time, the tight end was referred to as “an individual,” “people,” “the player,” and “any player,” among other things.

You were wondering what Bill Belichick would say when asked about Aaron Hernandez, weren’t you? Well, we will finally find out the Hoodied One’s thoughts on his former talented tight-end and his alleged murderous ways later today at his pre-training camp press conference at 2 p.m.

Tom Brady finally spoke about Hernandez, to Peter King of SI, and gave us a preview of Belichick’s statement. “I have moved on,” is the quote that stands out from the interview he gave King. He had more to say, of course. More of the same, honestly. Which means he said nothing.

I’ve seen a lot of things over 13 years, and what I have learned is that mental toughness and putting aside personal agendas for what’s in the best interest of the team matters most. My job is to play quarterback, and I’m going to do that the best way I know how, because I owe that to my teammates regardless of who is out there on the field with me. I have moved on. I’m focusing on the great teammates I have who are committed to helping us win games. The only thing I care about is winning. Nothing is going to ever get in the way of that goal. I’m just excited to report to camp and see what we can accomplish as a team. The fate of our season will be determined by the players in our locker room—nothing else.

Brady also said he’s planning to play beyond 40 and that Peyton Manning is his football BFF. I’d have asked how many f-bombs Brady dropped after Hernandez was arrested.

Pats fans and reporters covering the team can probably predict the exact words Belichick will use when he’s not answering the Hernandez questions not to mention questions about Wes Welker’s contract or Rob Gronkowski’s health status. Look for something about moving forward or focusing on players that are here and ready to practice. He might remind us that Robert Kraft spoke to the media already when he said he was duped.

And don’t assume the questions end today, either.

Hernandez has a court date this afternoon that may or may not take place. Albert Breer of NFL.com says the hearing at Attleboro District Court, which is a short drive from the North Attleboro home Hernandez used to occupy, could be continued for 30 days to facilitate a grand jury investigation. Either way we should see Hernandez in his new uniform.

Perhaps Belichick will surprise us and give some detailed answers regarding Hernandez and how his situation impacts the Patriots on offense. It would be good to hear what the coach really knew about Hernandez before he made him a $40-million man and when he knew it.

Waking up Thursday morning Patriots fans found out another player on the team they root for was arrested. This time it was Alfonzo Dennard on suspicion of DUI. Dennard was cited for straddling lines and refusal for a chemical test. His court date is set for August 12, three days after the Patriots first preseason game.

This is just another blemish in a horrible off season news wise for the Patriots. Wes Welker left for Denver after the team did not want to fork over an extra $2 million. Rob Gronkowski’s fifth surgery had fans wondering who Tom Brady was going to throw the ball to. The Tim Tebow signing grabbed headlines and then quickly went away. Soon after the arrest of Aaron Hernandez for the murder of Odin Lloyd put the Patriots in a negative light and I think they have handled it not so well.

Robert Kraft saying they were “duped” I feel was a cop out. They knew Hernandez was trouble when they drafted him in the fourth round. Fourth round meaning that 31 other teams passed on him possibly three times. Hernandez was trouble with Florida and the Patriots took a chance. I understand drafting a player and taking a chance but the extension is the hardest thing to justify. Hernandez could have been still playing under his rookie deal without the extension. After two years the Patriots signed him to an extension and gave him guaranteed money. Bill Belichick has yet to speak about Hernandez and that could be due to legal ramifications but I feel like him not speaking is a poor move. The team did have a jersey exchange which nearly 1500 fans showed up to. The exchange is a good idea but when is the coach going to speak out about a worst case scenario? Belichick is also the head of football operations, it is time for him to speak out.

Sadly this is not Dennard’s first legal problem. He punched a police officer outside a bar in Nebraska right before the 2012 NFL Draft. Dennard was drafted in the seventh round by the Patriots. It was said he had second round talent but obviously the legal troubles cost him. Dennard, I feel got off easy and was sentenced to 30 days in prison which he will serve after this season and two years probation. A DUI on probation is obviously not good and it should cost Dennard. The Patriots took a chance on Dennard that 31 other teams did not want to. No question the guy has talent, the same goes for Hernandez, but legal troubles are not worth it.

The New England Patriots have endured a lot of misfortune in recent times with Wednesday’s arrest of Aaron Hernandez being the tip of the iceberg when the former Patriots tight end was charged with murder resulting in him being cut from New England’s roster. The fact that the franchise lost its best receiver in the shape of Wes Welker this off-season to AFC rivals the Denver Broncos, albeit the Patriots’ decision, in hindsight you would say that it may be a slight regret considering that the team have just lost another one of its offensives best weapons due to these unfortunate circumstances. The franchise made the right decision in immediately cutting ties with Aaron Hernandez as you can’t condone what he has done and now the Patriots will move forward to prepare for the 2013 NFL season.

Silly Hernandez! Photo: Facebook

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New England have faced adversity before and are looking to bounce back from the teams unfortunate defeat in the AFC title game on January 20th this year which saw the Patriots uncharacteristically crumble in the second quarter after leading at halftime; Tom Brady & co were previously 67-0 in games when leading at halftime before that defeat and had also never lost an AFC championship game at home until the 28-13 loss. Considering the sour defeat, the loss of key players and the fact that the New England Patriots haven’t won a Super Bowl since 2004 despite appearing in two since you could say that now more than ever that the franchise is staring adversity straight in the face. The argument of not winning a Super Bowl since the Spygate saga, albeit not a valid point, has still not been put to bed giving rival fans something to annoy Patriots supporters with and the wounds have never truly healed after missing out on a shot of redemption when they lost against the Giants at Super Bowl XLVI after the New Yorkers previously defeated the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII when the team had a shot at perfection after going in to the game 18-0.

2013 looks to be a big challenge for Bill Belichick and his team as his defense continues to develop through young talent whilst the offense sees Tom Brady line up without three of his top four offensive weapons from the 2012 campaign as Rob Gronkowski is recovering from multiple surgeries and is in a race against time to be fit for the start of the season. Despite the fact that Brady has no top receivers he always succeeds but it is safe to say that at almost 36 years old and with the window for a coveted 4th Super Bowl championship closing recent events have given Brady possibly his biggest challenge to date. Now is the time to stand up and be counted and who else could the Patriots ask for as their leader other than Tom Brady as he is a man who strives to win and that winning mentality runs strong throughout the entire New England organisation. Tom Brady knows what it is like to be in a tough spot as when he first came in to the league he was written off with many people expecting little of the former 6th round pick out of Michigan but nevertheless he went on to win his first Super Bowl as a second year QB when he came in to replace the injured Drew Bledsoe as the teams starter.